Tubular Blossoms Hummers Love to Sip From
Enter now the delicate, exotic tubular blossoms of the Multi-Flowered Hibiscus. Witness this dazzling display of hibiscus blossoms at various stages of blooming, then fading gracefully over the course of a single day. The incredibly lovely blossoms of the hibiscus are a delight to hummingbirds the world over.
The hibiscus is considered one of the showiest of all flowering shrubs. Its glossy foliage varies in texture and size, depending on the variety. Although each blossom lasts only one day, the plant blooms continuously throughout the season. This is another reason hummingbird gardeners should strongly consider planting them in their backyard gardens. Hibiscuses make a lovely hedge along a driveway, a sidewalk, as a backdrop against a fence, or a showy flowering hedge between your yard and your neighbor's. In warm inland areas, hibiscuses like to be shaded from hot afternoon sun. In colder climates, although they need sun and warmth, they should be protected from frost and cold winds.
Hibiscuses vary greatly in height, depending on variety. If I were to select a few hibiscus to enhance my hummingbird habitat, I would choose those that reach no more than four to five feet in height. One variety called "Diamond Head" produces large double flowers of deep red--almost a black red--and reaches a height of about five feet. Another variety would be "Ecstasy" which grows upright to about four feet, and has single blossoms of bright red with white variegation. These two varieties are Chinese Hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), and are evergreen.
Another showy variety is the Confederate Rose (H. mutabilis). The "Rubrus" produces showy red flowers, and is a deciduous shrub. In colder areas, such as in Eastern Washington (USDA Zone 6), the H. mutabilis is considered a perennial and has oval leaves with three to five lobes. Its delicate flowers open to either white or pink, then change to a lovely deep red by evening.
I could name many more varieties of hibiscus, as well as other flowering shrubs that hummers love. However, space does not allow in this article so I'll save that for another time. If I've stirred up your "gardening juices" with these few ideas about what to plant for attracting more hummers, I will be content. On the other hand, why not share some of your favorites with me? Until next time -- keep those hummers humming, and those flying flowers fluttering!
Many thanks to Stan Westfall for giving me
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